Guns of Pop Culture: “Streets of Fire” & the Marlin 336

You ever tell someone about a movie or TV show that you love only to receive strange looks? Well, that’s my entire experience with the film Streets of Fire.

Streets of Fire is a rock opera turned into a neo-noir, and it works oh so well. It’s dark and loud, with a 1950’s spin, but a more contemporary setting. 

This modern musical is so underrated. It stars a young Diane Lane, a Willem Dafoe with a devil loc haircut, plus the always cool Tom Cody, played by Michael Pare.

The film has a simple plot. What really sells it is the filmography, the music, the atmosphere, and the fact it’s a movie that can be called original…oh, and the guns.

The movie has a rockabilly style that influences the fashion, cars, and even guns in the film…

In Streets of Fire

Our main character, Tom Cody, is a former soldier, rocker, and ex-boyfriend to Diane Lane’s character, Ellen Aim.

Aim is the lead singer of Ellen Aim and the Attackers, but after a show is kidnapped by the Rockers, led by Raven. 

Tom Cody comes back to the city of Richmond to rescue her. He’s dark and jaded but oh so handsome.

Ellen’s new boyfriend and manager, Billy (played by Rick Moranis) agrees to pay Tom $10,000 to save her. Tom teams up with McCoy, another fellow soldier, and mechanic played by Amy Madigan.

Before facing off with the dreaded Rockers, Tom purchases three guns. The guns are an Ithaca 37, a Ruger Redhawk, and the subject of today’s article, a Marlin 336.

All three guns wear a stainless or chrome finish and have a distinct level of Americana about them. 

The Marlin 336 is Tom’s primary weapon. He uses it to shoot out the gas tanks of the Rocker’s bikes to help create a distraction and free Ellen. Tom easy butt stokes an enemy when necessary. 

Admittedly, the movie isn’t very realistic, but Tom does aim the rifle and uses a supported position to fire from a rooftop.

He’s a good shot, too, capable of hitting motorcycles while they are moving. His primary targets are things that explode, and he hits them all the time. 

The Marlin 336 In Real Life 

Marlin has been a lever gun company since the 1880s, and the Marlin 336 is a direct evolution of the Marlin Model 1893. These small changes occurred in 1936, and the gun became known as the Model 1936. Eventually, it became known as the Model 36. 

Then, in 1948, the Model 36 became the Model 336. Since then, the Marlin 336 has been in almost continual production, and currently, Ruger owns the Marlin brand and produces the 336. 

The Marlin Model 336 came in numerous calibers, including favorites like .35 Remington, .32-40 WCF, and the most famous caliber, .30-30. The .30-30 is, without a doubt, the most dominant cartridge in the Marlin 336 lineup. 

I believe Americans are inherently born with a love of apple pie, hamburgers, and the .30-30 cartridge. It’s probably responsible for more dead deer than any other round, and it’s been a popular hunting cartridge since 1895. 

The Marlin 336 has lasted so long as a design because it tends to be more modern and modular than its main competition, the Winchester 94.

The side ejection port makes mounting optics easy, and the lever action and pistol grip combo are modern and ergonomic. 

The price has also been fairly low, which has made it a popular choice amongst deer hunters on a budget.

With the rise of modern tactical lever action rifles, it seems like Tom was ahead of the times when putting work in with the 336. 

What did you think “Streets of Fire?” Give us your thoughts in the comments below. For more Guns of Pop Culture, head to our Fun Category!